The mysterious origins of Laguna Beach

So no matter how many years go by or tourists visit south Orange County’s art colony in Laguna Beach, few may hear of how this special place was founded.

Why did an Alta California Mexican governor make the land grants of Rancho San Joaquin and Rancho Niguel so that this “in-between” piece of land where Laguna Beach now resides was not included in either grant? That decision made this beautiful area open to homesteading.

Soon the long canyon drive, which gave access to a beach with coves and caves, was discovered by tent dwellers and homesteaders who often took the old Concord stagecoach from Santa Ana. After the Santa Fe Railway was completed to El Toro Road on its way to San Diego in 1889, the trip to Laguna Beach became much easier.

Water was soon a major problem, partly solved by early resident Joe Thurston, who provided filled water barrels in his wagon on trips from Aliso Creek. Others used the mysterious divining rod to find underground streams.

The area’s natural, rocky shoreline with caves and inlets attracted a number of early unwelcome visitors: poachers, smugglers and rum-runners, all providing us with numerous adventure tales.

One other mystery that surrounds the charm and tradition of Laguna Beach is found in the presence of its “greeters.” Indeed, there were two. The first was Old Joe Lucas, a Portuguese man from a derelict ship who came to Laguna Beach in the 1880s. He traditionally greeted every stagecoach as it arrived, and he died in Laguna Beach in 1908.

The more well-known greeter was Eiler Larsen, a Dane, who, after walking across the United States, arrived in Laguna in 1934. He became a beloved member of the community still honored today, almost 40 years after his death.

Right in our neighborhood, our own backyard, is a place of such beauty and scenery that artists claim it as their own. And we may walk its shore, explore its art exhibits and the annual Pageant of the Masters, enjoy its mysteries and then, perhaps, become artists of history ourselves.

– Residents and local historians Donald and Mary Decker co-authored eight books including the city history “Laguna Niguel: Honoring the Past, Fulfilling the Present.” Contact the writers: dmdecker@prodigy.net.

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